HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 28 April 1943, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent.! HOKITIKA, April 27. Among Westlanders spending the holidays at Christchurch are Messrs D. J. Evans, M. B. James. F. Haddock, J. Coyle, R. Ferguson and H. McMillan. Despite adverse weather, there have been numerous visitors to the Glaciers „and other localities in this district over the holidays. A party of members of the local Women’s Institute went on a visit to Weheka and the Fox Glacier. Over 20 Christchurch and also West Coast members of the Church of Christ are holding a gathering at Lake Kanieri. Another party spent the Easter week-end at Lake Mahinapua. The Presbyterian Church held a gathering at Ross.. In contrast with the incoming holiday visitors, a large . number left the district on trips to other places. Every train and rail-car carrie a full complement of passengers. There was a goodly number to visit Westport for the races, but there would have been more had the railway services been more convenient in this district. Wintry conditions were experienced on Anzac Day and the local parade was the smallest for years. Assembling at the Drill Hall, it comprised the Municipal Band (under Mr C. B. Ross), Home Guard, under Major Perham, Returned Soldiers, under Captain J. O. Hutchison, and Boy Scouts. The parade was to the Regent Theatre, where a service was held. The Mayor, Mr A. R. Elcock, presided and others present included Mr W. M. Fraser (President R.S.A.), and clergy. Mr Fraser gave an introductory address. Rev. Hadfield recited an opening prayer and Rev. Marshall a final prayer, while Rev. Hayman gave a Scriptural reading. Thb occasional address was given appreciatively by Rev. H. A. Childs. The parade then was to the South African War Memorial, where a wreath; was deposited by Mr Fraser, and a volley was fired by the Home Guardsmen, Under Sergeant Hay and Bugler L. Ross sounded “The Last Post.” The parade then moved on to the Cenotaph, where Mr Fraser laid another wreath, the Home Guard firing another volley, and “The Last Post” sounded. Returned Soldiers then marched to the cemetery to pay respect to the memory of departed comrades. A collection was taken up to defray the cost of headstones at the Soldiers' Memorial Plot in the Cemetery. After heavy rain and wind up to Monday, with flooded streams, the weather cleared. On Friday and Saturday the seas were high, waves at high tide coming up the right-o’-ways nearly into Revell Street. Gorse and marram grass growth on the beach was cut away in places, and logs and other driftwood piled on the foreshore, into which the sea made inroads. Deep water is now close in alongside the north breakwater. With organised regular contributions from the wages of staffs, including those of dredges, sawmills, shops and offices, the local quota of National Savings has been raised for Easter week.